London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Hackney 1930
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Hackney]
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Number of instances of overcrowding recorded in the Public Health Department:—
| 1926 | 155 |
| 1927 | 190 |
| 1928 | 164 |
| 1929 | 137 |
| 1930 | 94 |
| Total | 740 |
These figures also include applications for recommendation for housing
accommodation on the London County Council's estates because of overcrowding.
Whilst 188 of these families are known to have secured alternative accommodation
(113 on the London County Council's estates, 41 on the Borough Council's
estates, and 34 elsewhere), it is obvious that there are many cases of overcrowding
which have not come to the knowledge of the Department.
Thus, I think it probable that the Census taken in 1931 will show that between
750 and 1,000 families are still living under conditions of overcrowding similar
to those revealed ten years ago.
STANDARD OF OVERCROWDING.
(L.C.C. By-laws with respect to Houses Divided into Separate Tenements, etc.)
"Not less than 300 cubic feet of free air space for each person of ten years
of age or over, and not less than 150 cubic feet of free air space for each child
under ten years of age occupying such room at any one time.
When occupying a room not exclusively used as a sleeping apartment, the
free air space required for a child under ten years of age shall be not less than
200 cubic feet."
Table showing number of instances of overcrowding recorded in the Public Health Department, together with number of applications received from persons living in overcrowded conditions for assistance in obtaining housing accommodation; also showing instances of overcrowding which have been abated during the past five years:
| Abated. | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year. | Number of instances recorded in Public Health Department. | Number of Applications from persons living in Overcrowded Houses for assistance in securing L.C.C. Houses. | Families accommodated in L.C.C. dwellings. | Families accommodated in H.B.C. dwellings. | Families known to have removed elsewhere . |
| 1926 | 155 | 12 | 2 | 4 | 10 |
| 1927 | 190 | 74 | 14 | 13 | 6 |
| 1928 | 164 | 104 | 43 | 16 | 9 |
| 1929 | 137 | 73 | 37 | 8 | 7 |
| 1930 | 94 | 45 | 17 | — | 2 |
| Totals | 740 | 308 | 113 | 41 | 34 |